THE recent passing of Dr Tony Capes was a very sad day for the people of Footscray and for the Footscray/ Western Bulldogs Football Club. Tony was a gentleman in every sense of the word. When Shane O’Sullivan approached me to emcee the president’s lunches back in 1984, I am not sure Tony was certain that a 3XY Disc Jockey with shoulder length hair was the right way for the club to go. Nevertheless, he gave me a go and we had a great time during his presidency. Tony was a generous man and his heart was red, white and blue and I have many fond memories of the match day lunches in the ‘pink room’ downstairs where the Hall of Fame is now located. Tony will be missed, but his contribution to the Bulldogs will always live on. My condolences to his family and many friends. RIP
DANIEL Cross played his last game for the Bulldogs on the weekend in the win over Melbourne and bowed out a champion which is not surprising. “Crossy” is one of the hardest working players I have ever seen at the club, and off field, one of the nicest blokes to have worn a red white and blue jumper. He had to work hard to get his first game and even played in a Werribee Reserves Premiership back on 2001 on his way to becoming a 200 plus game player for the Bulldogs. It will be hard for me and to see him playing in another AFL jumper as it was watching Doug Hawkins, Simon Atkins and Leon Cameron in other jumpers, but that is the game today. I can see Daniel being a wonderful role model for a young midfield group like GWS. All the best for the future Crossy and your lovely wife Sam and family.
THE other Daniel, as in, Giansiracusa has decided to continue for another year in a role which will see him take on more of a coaching role. We have seen lots of footage during the year showing ‘Gia’ having a lot to say while sitting on the bench, mostly with the sub jacket on. The Bulldogs will field a standalone VFL side next year and that maybe where he will do his most significant work. There is no word yet on who the Bulldogs are looking at to be the coach of that side in 2014. It is a tricky position because you will be juggling full time Bulldogs listed players with your VFL listed players who have either full time studies or full time work. They can’t train at 10am, three days a week. It will be fascinating to see where this heads, and the effect it will have on local footy. I think it will have a massive impact.
The WRFL Division Two Grand Final is on this Sunday at Avalon Airport Oval between Glenorden and Parkside. Few would argue that they are the two best sides in the competition. Manor Lakes were great and certainly had an amazing debut season, and I know they are disappointed, but also proud, of the season they had. Parkside is sick of being the bridesmaid and will be hell-bent on causing an upset against the star-studded Glenorden team. The Yze brothers, Damien and Adem, will be playing as will Kent Kingsley plus some pretty handy local players like MacDonald, Barillo and Fortune for the Hawks and Muratore, Juegan, Pearce and Big Mo Khartibal for the Magpies. This is far from done and dusted, believe me. If you can’t get to the game have a listen to me and the boys calling the action Sunday from 2pm on 88.9 WYN FM.
I WILL be very interested to see the next few weeks in the WRFL with the structure of a Division Three competition likely. I am sure there are clubs that will benefit and others that might think they are above it. It will make for fascinating viewing. I hear there are a number of changes in local footy personnel coming up that will really have tongues wagging, regarding players, coaches and administrators. If you have any news or events, let me know on the e-mail kevin@howdypartnersmedia.com.au and you can follow me on twitter @KevinHillier and check out the website howdypartnersmedia.com.au
